What Is Splunk Certification?

Given the evolving tech industry and the increasing amount of data available to companies, having the skills to sort through it and identify areas that require attention has become invaluable. Earning Splunk certifications can demonstrate your ability to work in information technology (IT).

Splunk has evolved into an industry leader, helping companies collate their digital footprint, identify concerns, and transmit data to the appropriate parties. As Splunk has grown increasingly popular, certifications in it have only become more valuable, and obtaining one can help you stand out among other IT professionals.

Read more: 10 Essential IT Certifications for 2025

Popular Splunk certifications

Splunk offers several certifications, whether you’re a new or experienced user. Discover some of your options to help develop your Splunk skills.

1. Splunk Core Certified User

Cost: $130 [1]

Requirements: There are no prerequisites for the exam, but Splunk recommends a basic understanding of the fundamentals.

Overview: The Splunk Core Certified User is the base level of the Splunk certification lineup. Cisco and Splunk suggest this certification for those looking to prove their basic understanding of the service, from performing searches to creating alerts and basic reports. The Core Certified User certification is an excellent way to enter the Splunk environment, and the hour-long test consists of 60 multiple-choice questions.

2. Splunk Core Certified Power User

Cost: $130 [2]

Requirements: There are no prerequisites for the exam, however, Splunk recommends an understanding of the fundamentals.

Overview: The Splunk Core Certified Power User certification is a level up the certification ladder and requires a stronger understanding of the Splunk basics, including knowledge of how to utilize macros and calculator fields and normalize data. Much like the Core Certified User certification test, the Power User certification test lasts an hour, with 65 multiple-choice questions.

3. Splunk Enterprise Certified Admin

Cost: $130 [3]

Requirements: Splunk requires a Splunk Core Certified Power User certificate to take the Splunk Enterprise Certified Administrator certification exam.

Overview: For those looking to advance in their chosen career fields and whose Splunk Enterprise isn’t migrating to the Splunk Cloud in the near future, the Splunk Enterprise Certified Administrator certification is an invaluable tool to showcase your ability to configure, monitor, and input the data your company uses and depends on. The test is an hour long and consists of 56 multiple-choice questions. For those whose Splunk tools are in the Splunk Cloud, a Cloud Certified Administrator certification is also available.

4. Splunk SOAR Certified Automation Developer

Cost: $130 [4]

Requirements: There are no prerequisites for the exam; however, Splunk lists the certification as a professional-level test, so it recommends an extensive knowledge of the Splunk platform as it pertains to SOAR development.

Overview: With a focus on cybersecurity, the Splunk SOAR Certified Automation Developer certificate will highlight your ability to incorporate Splunk into your Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR). You’ll understand how to develop playbooks, custom code, and use REST API (Representational State Transfer Application Programming Interface). The test is an hour long with 45 multiple-choice questions.

5. Splunk Enterprise Certified Architect

Cost: $130 [5]

Requirements: Splunk requires earning the Splunk Certified Power User and Splunk Enterprise Certified Admin certifications and taking several official Splunk courses, offered on its website, before completing this exam.

Overview: The Splunk Enterprise Certified Architect certification lets you showcase your Splunk expertise. The certification demonstrates the architect’s ability to deploy and manage a Splunk environment and troubleshoot problems that might arise in the enterprise structure. Because it is an expert-level test, it lasts 90 minutes and consists of 85 multiple-choice questions.

Who should get Splunk certification?

Splunk offers a broad breadth of certification options, catering to professionals in various fields, including data analysis, information technology (IT) operations, DevOps, and cybersecurity. You’ll find an appropriate credential whether you’re looking to make a career change to the IT world or if you’re already well-established in the field. 

Specifically, consider Splunk certification if you’re an IT professional whose company uses Splunk software, a data analyst who wants to demonstrate an ability to turn data into actionable information, or a platform or enterprise security administrator or another data or cybersecurity professional. Companies use Splunk to address cybersecurity concerns, as well as the health of their digital footprint, so consider a Splunk certification if these areas interest you.

How to get Splunk certification

Earning a Splunk certification is a multi-step process, requiring you to evaluate available options, prepare for the exam, and successfully complete it. Follow these tips as you work toward your Splunk certification.

Step 1: Choose the proper certification.

The first step in your certification journey should be determining which certificate is right for you. If you do not have a Splunk certification, you can start with the Splunk Core Certified User and Power User certificates, which are entry-level certifications without any prerequisites.

Read more: How to Get IT Certifications in 5 Steps

Step 2: Review certification requirements.

Once you’ve earned the entry-level certificates, review the requirements for the advanced certificates to begin working toward them. Some exams require you to have other certificates, and others will require coursework. It’s important to confirm what Splunk requires for your certificate and ensure that you meet all minimum requirements.

Step 3: Enroll in preparatory courses.

Splunk’s official courses are pivotal in preparing you for the certification exams. Even if you’re just looking to brush up on skills you’ve already acquired, reviewing these courses to prepare for your exam is a good idea.

Step 4: Create a study plan.

Like any endeavor, it pays to plan. Review what Splunk establishes as key topics for each certificate, and then craft a study plan that includes taking courses, practicing with Splunk tools, and reviewing information.

Read more: 11 Good Study Habits to Develop

Step 5: Register for the exam.

When you feel prepared, take the next step and register for the exam on Splunk’s website. Ensure that you meet any prerequisites and be aware of the test format. Splunk’s testing partner, Pearson VUE, administers the certification exams, which can either be a self-administered—but still proctored—online test or conducted through a Pearson VUE testing center. Both options take place at scheduled dates and times, but you will be able to choose which works best for you.

What to expect on the Splunk certification exam

Each of Splunk’s certification exams follows the same format of a timed test involving multiple-choice questions. However, the time allotted and the amount of questions differ per exam, so be sure to double check what your specific certification exam entails. 

These questions will cover your mastery of everything from performing searches, using lookups, and creating basic reports to topics on the Core Certified User certification exam and your understanding of best practices for planning, data collection, and sizing deployments found on the Enterprise Certified Architect certification exam.

Training resources for Splunk certification

Many resources can help you prepare for your Splunk certification. Be sure to use the official materials offered by Splunk, ranging from free video learning to paid, instructor-led courses that include hands-on labs and intensive fast-track courses that’ll teach you everything you need to know for the exam. You can also find several opportunities for online learning on Coursera. 

Additionally, consider exploring online forums and communities for networking and support. Splunk also offers an official community where you can find answers to problems you’ve been having with the software and even connect with Splunk users in your area.

Salary and job outlook

Splunk certification can enhance your career prospects in the IT and cybersecurity fields, leading to administrator, data analyst, and security analyst positions, which are only growing in terms of employment opportunities. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that cybersecurity analysts, for example, earn a median annual salary of $120,360 and enjoy a positive job outlook with likely growth of 33 percent between 2023 and 2033 [6]. Similarly, data analysts earn a median salary of $83,640 years, with anticipated job growth of 23 percent during the decade leading up to 2033 [7].

Certified professionals often enjoy enhanced job prospects, competitive salaries, and opportunities for career advancement in the fields of data analysis and cybersecurity.

Splunk certification preparation and more: Build skills on Coursera

Splunk certification can advance your data and cybersecurity career. With online courses taught by industry leaders, you can refine in-demand skills and build a solid knowledge base in your chosen field.

You can go from beginner to job-ready with Microsoft’s Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate, where you’ll learn to understand the cybersecurity landscape and learn core concepts foundational to security, compliance, and identity solutions. You might also consider the Splunk Knowledge Manager Specialization, where you’ll learn to create & manage knowledge objects to help interpret, classify, and enrich data, build & accelerate data models, and configure summary-based reports.